Busting Through!

Incline DB Bench Presses have always been a bit of a problem. I have been stuck at 45s for awhile. The difficulty is getting them air borne. Once they are up – no problem – I can punch out 10 reps. Getting air borne is the problem. I refuse to use a spotter to help me get them up. That is what I need to do without help.

Part of the problem may be in my twisted mind. Several years ago, I had tried to get 50s up – and lost control – smashing a finger between the two DBs. Hurt like a SOB. Did not smash the bone but lost the nail. After that I backed down. Then my wife had a stroke and my ability to focus on increasing weights took a back seat.

This morning – I DID IT! I got 50s up in the air – not once but 3 times: 10-10-8 reps.

Why? One week ago – I could not do it. Why today? Some possibilities:

I had a carb heavy meal last night – Indian food – the breads did me in?

A guy – late 20s – who I know and who is buff was working out next to me – I had to prove myself or at least not embarrass myself – hmmmm?

I had a full 8 hours sleep?

I over came my fear of 50s?

I have been working towards this goal – and finally achieved it? Probably.

What ever the reason or reasons – it is now my new base number – recorded on my clip board – so no backing down next week. I alternated sets of the bench presses with DB Squats using 70s. Still prefer a track bar.

The Ab Wheel roll outs are interesting. Not sure of their value. The Swiss Ball hip raise and leg curls are tough – to do right.

Good work out – happy. Now to get those push-ups in before I lose control of them. 100 a day is not difficult – just finding the time and remembering to do them.

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Good to hear! Congratulations on the 50s! I think it is probably all of the above.

Also, getting stuck between 45 and 50 is logical because it is an 11% jump in weight. (No one would decide to increment a squat max by 11% from one day to the next…) The best coach I ever had worked on a 2.5%-5% increase (depending on the lift) from cycle to cycle, but unfortunately db manufacturers don’t think that way, with their arbitrary 5 lb increments.

Never thought about that. All of the DBs except the stack of light weights are set at 5 pound increments. The pre-set bars are at 10 pounds. Only the bars with weight plates can be set in increments of 5 pounds.